Malaysian auto hub in pipeline after Geely revives Proton brand
By LI FUSHENG | CHINA DAILY | Updated: 2024-06-03 10:38
Employees work at the reception of Proton's manufacturing base in Tanjung Malim, Malaysia, in May.
Chinese carmaker Geely Holding Group and Malaysian conglomerate DRB-Hicom are revving up efforts to build a high-tech automotive park that will make the Southeast Asian nation a regional power in the era of smart new energy vehicles.
The project is built on the two companies' cooperation in reviving Proton. Geely acquired a 49.9 percent stake in the brand in 2017 from DRB-Hicom, which holds a 50.1 percent stake.
The 16-square-kilometer Automotive High-Tech Valley in Tanjung Malim, in the state of Perak, is positioned as a highland for NEVs and other new technologies in the ASEAN region.
It is expected to become a landmark project of economic cooperation between China and Malaysia, which are celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.
When completed, the valley will include R&D, production and testing of both complete vehicles and auto parts.
Among other things, it will have an annual production capacity of 500,000 vehicles by 2035, of which 50 percent will be exported, said Wei Mei, senior vice-president of Geely Holding Group and CEO of Geely International Holdings (Malaysia), last week.
It will produce vehicles bearing the Proton marque as well as Geely's brands. Other international companies can outsource their production to the valley as well.